Figment of Dreams
Yule Break Trip (1)

I don’t know how I got here but I was in a Helicar with Sebastian and Dexar, driving to the Barrington retreat in Pillotin. I had been living in a deep state of shock for the last week in the Skylar Mansion and I literally could not face any questions of my loved ones right now, so the two of them felt like the best distraction for me. We weren’t friends, but they had saved me from Otto. Who had been their best friend for years. So the three of us had formed a connection that night and it felt weird to say, but it was laced with guilt and regret on their end and for me it was laced in gratitude. Sebastian had called me every day to check up on me and so had Dexar. I appreciated that more than I could put into words.

He had called me up Friday night, after Dosch had left, to tell me he and Dexar were going on their Yule Break trip for a week, asking me if I wanted to join. We had that paper to finish for animal studies and he had the perfect location for that, or so he had said. I didn’t really hesitate. Jax would be back at the mansion this week and I could not deal with any questions. So I joined them. A part of me was wondering if they had just asked me to be polite, but when I saw them acting all jolly and fun to have me on their trip that was quickly forgotten.

The car ride was enjoyable. They were playing music from Sebastian’s favourite band and had told me all about their plans to revive their own band. Apparently, Sebastian, Dexar, Nexxar and Kai had a band when they were younger. It dismantled when Kai went to earth but they wanted to revive it next semester.

‘So little bird, I have to warn you about something.’

I was riding shotgun to Dexar’s dismay. He had been pouting about that for the last hour and was now obnoxiously hanging between the two of us while zapping through the radio channels for something good.

I was propped up in my seat, hoodie over my head and half asleep. So I glanced at Sebastian with not much enthusiasm. He continued anyway. ‘My uncle, who lives in the Pillotin Manor and is kind of the ground keeper and fund manager of the estate is a little bit strange…’

‘Understatement of the century.’ Snorted Dexar.

‘Strange how?’ I sighed while keeping my eyes glued on the road. It was a countryside route we were on, with only flat fields and poppies everywhere you could look.

‘Well… you will see for yourself.’ He promptly added. ‘He is completely innocent though. So no worries. I would have not brought you here if he wasn’t.’ We both know what he was referring to.

I had no idea what I had joined. When Sebastian had told me about the estate I figured we were going to a huge mansion like Maddox’s place. I was not expecting to roll up to a castle. A freaking castle.

A line of obies was standing outside, ready to greet their master. Sebastian felt uncomfortable about it though, I gave him that much. And Dexar was already flirting with one of the Rainer servant girls who were also lined up outside.

This place was huge. Like a castle with seven towers huge. Downtown Abbey huge. I had to close my mouth.

Two huge shaggy great Danes came running from behind the hedges.

‘My boys!’ Sebastian shouted and dropped down and started rumbling with the dogs over the lawn. Ruining his light blue dress pants in the process.

He proudly glanced up at me from beneath the two huge animals and said. ‘These are Maverick and Rebel, my uncle’s dogs but I look at them as if they were mine.’ He had told me his parents and two of his brothers were allergic to dogs so he didn’t have any growing up. The dogs instantly stormed me and very heavily slammed me down on the grass as well. The breath was knocked out of my lungs but I couldn’t suppress a giggle when they started licking me all over.

‘Oh to be jealous of a dog.’ Sebastian drawled. I quickly ushered them off me and took his hand to help me get back to my feet.

‘Sir, the cottage has been made ready for you.’ One of the obies said and motioned to the far right side of the castle. I followed them inside.

I was so ready for a break.